Thursday, June 30, 2011

We had very brief rain storm early yesterday morning. And, even though the moisture made for a steamy afternoon -- the morning was cool -- the air smelled fresh & clean. I can't tell you what a welcome relief it was after almost 2 weeks of 100 degree temps.

Later, as I drove into work, I realized that rain this time of year is really a blessing -- which was reinforced by this sight.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The market was packed with people: young and old, singles and families.

We checked out the vendor up from Texas (he is the one with the 'Santa' beard). His watermelons caught our eye, but at $10 - we passed on those. We did buy one of his cantaloupes though and it was very tasty.

But, this is what we really came for --
the beauties on the far right --
sun-riped tomatoes.
We had them for dinner that night and they were amazing.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

On January 1, 1776, the Continental Army was reorganized in accordance with a Congressional resolution which placed American forces under George Washington's control. On that New Year's Day the Continental Army was laying siege to Boston which had been taken over by the British Army. Washington ordered the Grand Union flag hoisted above his base at Prospect Hill. It had 13 alternate red and white stripes and the British Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner (the canton).

In May of 1776, Betsy Ross reported that she sewed the first American flag.

On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an official flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."

Between 1777 and 1960, Congress passed several acts that changed the shape, design and arrangement of the flag and allowed for additional stars and stripes to be added to reflect the admission of each new state.

Act of January 13, 1794 - provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795.

Act of April 4, 1818 - provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state, to be added to the flag on the 4th of July following the admission of each new state, signed by President Monroe.

Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912 - established proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, a single point of each star to be upward.

Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated January 3, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically.

Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizontally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.

Today the flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with 6 white. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well: Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, White symbolizes Purity and Innocence and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

I do believe the month of June is confused -- this month is acting just like the month of July and that's not good. We are entering our second week of 97+ degree heat -- and, as far as I'm concerned, it's too dang early for summer heat.

What happened to the June of cool mornings and afternoon highs in 80's? Did that June move to another part of the country? I'm stating right now, that I"m not ready to have the heat to hit me in the face when I step outside anytime after 10am. And, I'm so not ready to water my potted plants every day or watch them die of thirst -- and my water bill reach 'national debt' levels a month early this year.

Al Gore is this what you were talking about when you made that movie that won all sorts of awards ??

If so, come on over and help me drag hoses around to try and save my begonias - Ok?!! We'll have a great time -- you and me, talking politics, global warming -- while giving my plants a drink of cool water.

And, it would be such a shame to let these pretty plants die. Now doesn't that sound like fun ?!!